Shock absorber



April 15, 1952 R. WATTS 2,593,372

SHOCK ABSORBER Filed Dec. 19, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet l BY @fw a@ April 15, 1952 R. wA-r'rs 2,593,372

SHOCK ABSORBER Filed Dec. 19, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 MOR.

April 15, 1952 R. WATTS 2,593,372

SHOCK ABSORBER Filed Dec. 19, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 JNVENTOR. .fg/72M /ev April 15, 1952 R, WAT-rs 2,593,372

SHOCK ABSORBER Filed nec. 19, 1947 4 Sheets- Sheet 4 Pg/222m M5 JN V EN TOR..

Patented pr. 15, 1,952

UNITED STATES PATENT oFElcE 2,593,372 SHOCK ABSORBER Raymond Watts, Chicago, Ill., assignor to American Steel Foundries, Chicago, Ill., a. corporation of New Jersey Application December `19, 1947, Serial No. 792,667

2l Claims. (Cl. 267--64) This invention relates to shock absorbers and more particularly to a novel hydraulic shock absorber such as is frequently utilized in the landing gear of aircraft.

The instant application is a continuation-inpart of my co-pending application, Serial No. 523,019, led February 19, 1944, in the United States Patent Office and issued as Patent No. 2,471,294 on May 24, 1949.

A general object of the present invention is to provide a shock absorber, such as above described,

wherein means are provided externally of the absorber for adjusting the friction developed thereby.

Another object of the invention is to provide a pressure sensitive compressible metering unit adapted to expand and contract to automatically vary the metering orifice area in response to variations in the presence of the metered fluid and to provide means for adjustably compressing the unit thereby adjusting the orifice area to a predetermined value for a given pressure on the metered fluid.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a novel actuating mechanism for the metering unit including a piston and cylinder device operatively associated with the unit and actuated by pressure uid from a source disposed externally of the shock absorber.

Still another object of the invention is to de- 1 vise a shock absorber, such as above described,

`regulated by the operator as, for example, from the cockpit of an aircraft.

Still another object of 'theinventon is to prounit which may be readily fabricated and easily installed in the shock absorber.

The foregoing and other objects and advan- I tages of the invention will become apparent from consideration of the following specification and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view partly in elevation of a shock strut [and associated pneumatic actuating Vmechanism for the metering device;

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view of thestructure shown in Figure 1 illustrating the metering device and actuating means in detail;

Figure 3 is a cross sectional View on the line 3--3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the metering device with portions broken away;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view, partly in elevation, of a modied strut em bodying the invention;

4 tion; and

vide in a shock strut, such as above described, a Asimple and efficient pressure responsive metering Figure 9 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view partly in elevation of a shock strut embodying still another modification of the invention.

Describing the invention in detail and referring first to the embodiment thereof illustrated in Fgures 1 to 4, the shock strut comprises a piston 2 (Figure 1) adapted for pivotal connection in conventional manner to an associated aircraft wheel and axle assembly (not shown). The piston is reciprocal within a cylinder 8 to define a high pressure chamber IIJ with alwall or bulkhead I2 of the cylinder suspended, as hereinafter described in detail, by a perforated tube I4 carried by a top Wall or bulkhead I6 of the cylinder within a low pressure chamber I8 thereof.

The top wall I6 is provided with a removable threaded plug 20 carrying a cylinder 22 which receives the upper end of a piston 24. The piston extends through a complementary bearing carried by a collar 26 mounted on the lower end of the tube I4. The collar 26 comprises ears 28 connected bybolts 30 and spacers 32 to the bulkhead 12 which is provided with a central opening or orifice 34 through which the hydraulic fluid is forced on the closure stroke of the device as the piston 2 urges the fluid from the high pressure chamber I0 into the low pressure chamber I 8.

The fluid is metered by a compressible resilient unit, generally designated 36, and adjustably compressed by an abutment 38 on the lower end of the piston 24 which is actuated by pneumatic fluid admitted to the cylinder 22 by a line 40.

The pressure of the pneumatic actuating fluid in the line 40 and the cylinder 22 is regulated by a valve mechanism including a body 42 with a spool or piston 44 slidably reciprocal within a complementary bore in the body in duid-tight engagement therewith. The piston 44 is proj'ustably compress 46 by a cap 52 in threaded engagement at 54 with the body 42. The body comprises anV inlet port 56 connected to a high pressure line 58 supplied with high pressure fluid by any suitable source, such as a pump or accumulator (not shown).

The body also comprises a 'discharge or relief port BIl'connected to a discharge or returnline 62, and the body also comprises an outlet port 64 connected to the line 40 for conveying pneumatic fluid thereto under a predetermined pressure regulated by the spring 5U and spring cap 52. The piston 44 cooperates witha valve element E to open the same when thepressure in theline 40 reaches a predetermined minimum value and to release the valve elernentril thereby enabling the same to close when the pressure in the line 40 reaches a predetermined intermedia-te value, both of said values being dependent upon the adjustment of the spring Stand upon a balancing spring B8 compressible between thetop of the position 44 and the body 42. Upon *development of Va premaximum value in the line '53, 'the .piston M is urged to its discharge position whereat the pneumatic uid is y'permitted to now. through ports 69 into the discharge lineZ until the ,pressurein the line iis bied off'suflicientlyto allow the piston 44 to cicse theport B0 againstcommunication with the port 64, Thus it will be understood that by adjustment of the cap 52 any desired predetermined pressure value may be maintained in the line 4D and the cylinder 22, the above-described pressureregulatving mechanism being diagrammatic forthe sake of*` simplicity, v

It may be noted that pressure on-.the unit 36 is preferably substantially constant thereby` affording a more uniform deceleration ofthe closure strokeof the strut than has beenpossible in arrangements heretoforeprop osed. This isan viiriportant aspect of the invention, inasmuch'as themaximum load factor maypccur at any'point throughout the full extentof the shock absorber strokein landing geararrangrnents. Y`

f The. piston 2 is provided with an extension I0 slidably fitted around a bearing12 carried bythe .bulkhead L2 and theextension 1 0 carriesabea-rine- 1'4 adjacent its upper, endsldably bted lvi/lhin the cylinder tliereby af'r `o rdin g a structure offrelatively great mechanical strength.

position. whereat the' landing `gear wheel (not shown.) isinitsprOper castoringposition as the wheel is subjected to shock thereby initiatingthe compression stroke of the strut during landing operation. l. Y

The low pressure chamber I8 'isprofvidedwith va fitting 8l adjacent the upper end of'said chamber to admit a compressedfgas, such as air, at a predetermined pressure value thereby airding an airspring acting on the upper surface of the hydraulic liquid within the strut to'yieldingly re'- sist'closure of the same andtoreturn thefstrut to its extended position upon the release of forces effecting the closure stroke,

The metering unit 36,'as abpvehotedpis adbe understood by the following descriptionV of this by fluid trapped between the plates vand thezabutfment 8U and metered through the radial notches ed by the'pis'tn 24' and, as vwill the cylinder 20. Thus the gas within v the, cylinder .metering areaV of the interstices be understood f that n unit, the friction developed thereby is directly proportional to the pressure exerted thereagainst by the piston 2d so that the operator, by adjust` ment of the above-described valve mechanism which is preferably located in the cockpitof the aircraft, may adjust theshock strut to afford any desired frictional characteristics prior to a land ing operation.

The resilient unit 35 is shown in detail in Figures 2 to 4, inclusive, wherein it will be seen that this unit comprises a plurality of annular, rradially fluted, resilient discs 'le alternately arranged with a plurality of annulairigid discs 18, the central openings of said discs being aligned with the port'f to define a longitudinal axial passage through the unit 35 communicating with the low pressure chamber I8 through radial passages or interstices between the discs. On the top of the stack of discs is a spring plate or abutvment having aplurality of radial notches 82,

as best seen in Figure 2. The .abutment '83 kaffords a seat for a sta-ck of Belleville springs H34 which bear against the abutment 38 actuated, as n'above described, to compress the resilient including the plates 'i6 and 18, the abutment 8U and the springsfl against the Wall I2.

As best seen in Figures 2 and 4;, the bearing' l2 is secured to the Wall I2 by a collar fthrefaded on a depending annular flange 6B of said wall, another collar 93 also being threaded on 4said flange to afford support for a spring plate `92 carrying springs 94 urging an annular flapper valve `plate 96 against the bottom of the wall4 I2 lto close Icy-pass ports 9 3 therethrough. v Tl'ius the plate 9E affords a by-pass valve mechanism accommodating unmetered flow of fluid fromthe low pressure chamber I8 to the high pressure chamber lilv on the release or extension stroke of the strut. It will be understood that on theolo- Vsure stroke of the strut the resilient unit 36 'expands axial breadth or area .between the plates 'i6 and 'I8 tions in the pressure of the vthelport 34. This. expansion accomplished partly by the resiliency of the discs 16, partly by the Belleville springs 84,1andpartly by yielding of the compressed gasf springwithin pressure value of `the 20 controls 4the total lbetween the V'plates 16 and `18 for any given pressure value vof the hydraulic iluid flowing' therethrough. It will if desired theY Belleville springs 84 may be eliminated and preferably a few moreplates 'I6 `and 18 added to'compensate for ythe removal of the Belleville springs.A

`It may be noted that during lexpansion and contraction of the Kresilient vunit 33 the resulting oscillation of the lBelleville Vspringsy 84 is` damped 32 which are preferably `V-'shap'ed' in cross'section.

:Referringno'w to Figure 5,'a modification of the invention lis shown wherein the parts'corresponding to those of Figures 1 tore are identied by corresponding numerals.

.Inthemodication of Figure 5 the piston N is provided with a perforated tube 80, the lower end of which is axially slotted as at L02 and is provided with` a passage |34 receiving the metering pinl carried by the piston 2. fnthis modification the wall vof the bulkhead I2 is connected, as by welding, to the lower end .of-'the perforated support tube I4, and the metering orifice is defined by the passage |04 and the ment, by varying the pressure of the pneumatic actuating fluid in the cylinder 22. Thus inasmuch as the loyver end of the tube |00 is tapered as at |08 for reception within a complementary tapered opening of the wall |2, downward movement of the tube which is resilient causes radial contraction of the passage |04 and consequent decrease of the metering area. For this reason, the metering area is directly proportional to -the pressureof the pneumatic actuating fluid in the cylinder 2,2.

'nie action o ruie piston u is yie1ding1y resisted by a spring ||0 bearing against the wall |2 and an annular spring seat |2 carried by the the tube |00 upwardly thereby increasing the area of the metering orifice.

Referring now. to Figures 6 and 7, a modified form of metering unit is disclosed comprising a sleeve |50 having an inturned annular flange |52, preferably recessed as at |54 to afford a seat for an annular dished flapper valve plate |56. The flange |52 supports a conical valve body member |58 Ahaving fit1-,ges |60 affording positioning means for an annular spring seat or abutment |62 which is snugly fitted within the sleeve |50 l and is provided with ports or passages |64 communicating with" ports or passages |66 through thebody member |58.

l'Supported on the abutment |62 is a stack of ff.'

. pressed thereagainst by a piston |68 having a siidabie uuid-tight at within e sleeve snugly fitted within a cylindrical housing or casing |12,

f the/sleeve |10 and casing |12 being flanged as at |14 and |1i6 respectively. These flanges are clamped to the sleeve |50 by a collar |18 in threaded engagement therewith. The collar |18 and the flanges |14 and |16, as well as a gasket |80 between thecollar |18 and the flange |16, are provided with aligned openings defining a plurality of 4ports or passages |82 affording communication between the low pressure chamber |8 and the ports |64.

The metering unit above described is maintained in position by a pipe line (not shown) threaded into a complementary opening |84 in the top of the casing |12 and secured to thestrut cylinder, as is the line in the previously described embodiments.

Thus it will be understood that in the modification of Figures 6 and 7 on the compression stroke of the strut, the flapper valve plate |56 closes the ports |66 directing fluid through the interstices between the plates 16, 18 to effect metering of the fluid which then passes through the ports |82 into the low pressure chamber I8. On

, the release or extension stroke of the strut the hydraulic fluid passes from the low pressure chamber I8 through the ports |82. |64, and |66 thrusting the fiapper valve plate |56 downwardly to its open position against the seat |54 to accommodate flow of theuid into the high pres- ,sure chamber l0.

It will be understood that the strut fragmentube |00. The spring ||0 is operable upon diminution of the pressure in the cylinder 22 to urge.

Figures 6 and 'i are identified tarily shown in Figures 6` and? is substantially identical with that shown in Figure 1 except for the modified construction of the metering unit above described.

-Referring now to Figure 8, a modification` of i the metering unit shown in Figures 61 and 7 is disclosed wherein parts corresponding to those of' by corresponding numerals.

In the modification of Figure 8, the flange |52i `of the sleeve |50 is provided with by-pass ports, 1 200 which are closed on the compression stroke of the strut by an annular fiapper valve plate 202 slidably mounted on bolts 204 secured to the bottom of the flange |52, and the stack of plates 16.

18 v.are seateddirectly against the top of the flange |52. The rest of the structure shown in Figure 8 is substantially identical withthat of Figuresf and 7. A

4It will be apparent that in the arrangement of Figure 8 on the compression stroke of the device the valve plate 202 is forced upwardlyl to its closed position over the ports 208 whereupon the hydraulic fluid is forced from the high pressure chamber l0 through the metering interstices between the plates 16, 18 and upwardly through the ports |82 into the low pressurechamber |8.

On the release stroke of the strut the hydraulic fluid fiows from the low pressure chamber I8 through the ports |82 downwardly through the ports 200 forcing the plate 202` to its open position thereby accommodating substantially. unmetered flow of fluid into the high pressure chainlbei: I0.

As in the previously described embodiment, the casing |12 is provided with a threaded opening |84 for the reception of a pipe or conduit 40 which 'is secured to the strut cylinder, in the same manner as in Figure 1 and serves to position the -inja cylinder 252 having a bulkhead `254 dividing the cylinder into aA high pressure chamber 256 and a low pressure chamber 258. The bulkhead comprises a passage or port `260 connecting the chambers. A resilient metering unit is provided comprising a plurality of reversely arranged, resilient, dished discs 262 compressed against the bulkhead 254 by a piston 264 formed with an abutment 268 Vcarrying a perforated tube 210 which is slidably fitted within the port 260 'and the central openings through the discs 262. f

The piston 264 is actuated by hydraulic or pneumatic fluid within a cylinder 212 carried by the top wall or head 2140i the cylinder 252. The actuating' fluid is admitted to the cylinder 252 bya line 216 which, as inthe previously describedl embodiments. may be connected` to any suitable means for adjusting the pressure within the cylinder 212. A compressed gas spring is admitted to the upper end of the cylinder252 by a fitting 218 in the head 214.

On the compression stroke of the strut shown in Figure 9, hydraulic fluid is urged from the high pressure chamber 256 through the port 260 and radially outwardly through themetering interstices between the discs 262 into the low pressure chamber 258. Under these conditions a-flap- P61" WIW met?. 2 8!) 1S illsd toits closed position covering by-pass ports 282 in the wall 254, the plate being mounted on studs 284 carried by the wall 254.

On the release stroke of the device the hy'- draulic iuidpasses from the low vpressure chamber 258 downwardly through the ports 262 urging vthe annular valve plate 280 to its open position `against the resistance of springs 286 carried by the bolts 284 thereby accommodating unmetered flow of the fluid tothe high pressure chamber 256. VIn operation and referring to Figures 1 4, inclusive, theV valve mechanism 42, 4-6 is preset to a desired predetermined pressure value and pneumatic fluid is supplied therethrough from line 58 and to line 40 to the cylinder 22'to actuate `Athe piston 24, thereby compressing the unit 36 against the wall I2. On the closure stroke of the vshock strut the piston 2 moves toward the wall i2, thereby transferring the fluid in the high'pressure or working chamber lthrough the port 34 and then through the unit 36 into the low pressure or' reservoir chamber I-8 against the resistance of ythe as spring contained therein. It ywill be observed Athat as the pressure of the fluid flowing through the unit 36 increases, whereupon the unit 36 is caused'to expand by flexing the resilient plates 16 or moving plates 16 and 18 apart in order to increase the orifice `area defined by these plates. the flexing vof the unit 36 is controlled by the pressure Vofthe `fluid acting on the piston A24 in the cylinde'r22. As the unit 36 expands the piston 24 is moved into the cylinder 22 which increases'the pressure of the fluid within the cylinder 22. This pressure is immediately reduced to the initialfpre'ssurc value by the valve 42, V46 which operates as herevinbefore discussed. Thus it will be seen that 'a' constant determined pressure value is maintained in line40 and in cylinder 22 irrespective ofreciprocal movementV ofthe piston 24.k

On the extension stroke of the strut'the piston moves away from the wall I2 whereupon the gas 'spring contained in chamber I8 causes the fluid in the low pressure Vchamber to fiow through the ports 98 into chamber I0 by opening plate 96. 1

"Simultaneously, when the pressure of .the fluid flowing through the unit 3 6 is reduced, whereby `the piston '24 movesv against the unit 36 compressing the same against the wall I2, the pressure in cylinder 22 isv maintained by fluid ,flowing from line 58 to line 40 as'regulated bythe valve 42', 46.

All of the other embodiments disclosed herein operate -in exactly the same manner with the exception of the embodiment shown in Figure f 5 wherein during closure of the strutthe fluid in chamber I0 causes the resilient lower end of tube `IIlIltomove upwardly .out of the port` or opening lIl-.whereuponfthe lower end ofthe tube'isper- I mitted tojexpand-'andthereby enlargethe orifice area-defined vby the slotsI02. Thezfunction'of `the cylinder 22'and" the `piston .24 `is the. same as inlallthe/other embodiments. Upon expansion .ofthastrut in Figurethefiui'd.' flows intoithe highy pressreichamber II! from 'the-low pressure chamber lflrthrough' theA perforated tubesv I 4'- and IDI) and opening IIlB'iwhile the piston 2l moves away from the wall I2.

It is: tofbe" understood -thatI' do notr wish' -to be flinrit'ed '-byftlie exact embodiments off the device :shownlwhich aremerely bywayof illustration and'not imitation as various-and other'forms vso the devicewll,ofcourse; beapparent` to those skilled inltheart without 'departing"'ff'r'o'm: the

8 spirit of the'invention or the scope ofthe claims.

'Iclaimz Y Y Y '-1.' An hydraulic shockV absorber comprising va cylinder member with a high pressure chamber, a 'piston member reciprocal in said chamber, a low pressure chamber -in one of the members,'a port connecting said chambers, and means carried by said one member for metering hydraulicV fluid flowing through said port, said means coniprising an axially expansible and contractible resilient unit having an axial passage communieating with said port, and radial passage means for lconnecting said axial passage to the low pressure chamber, a cylinder carried .by said one member, a piston in the second-mentioned cylinder bearing against said unit, a'compressed gas spring in said second-mentioned cylinder 'adapted to-compress said piston against vsaid unit and to yeldingly resist expansion ofllsaid unit due to increase of pressure in the hydraulic -iiuid flowing through said passage means,- said piston being movable into said lcylinderY to coni- 4press said gas spring during expansion of said "means, and a pressure regulator connected vto said .cylinder for maintaining the pressure for saidgas spring at a substantially constant value by exhausting the gas from said cylinder as said pistonmoves thereinto when said means xpands whereby the load of the spring on said piston is substantially constant irrespective of the extent of expansion of said means.

2. An hydraulic shock absorber comprising`H a ltop follower inthe form of a cylinder containing high and low pressure chambers, a vbottom-follower inthe 'form of a piston reciprocal in the high pressure chamber, an element in said cylinder comprisinga wall with afport connecting said chambers, means for metering fluid flowing through said port comprising a metering device including relatively movable parts deniri'gan adjustable orifice area connecting -said `vport'to -Ithe low pressure' chamber, a cylinder carried by :the top follower,a piston reciprocal in the lastmentioned cylinder and operatively connected to said device for resisting increase of said orifice area, and means operatively connected tothe last-mentioned vcylinder for delivering actuating fluid thereto atan adjustable pressure value1 3. An hydraulic shock absorber comprising a top follower in the form of a cylinder containing high and low pressure chambers, a bottom follower in the f orm of a piston reciprocal in the vv-high pressure chamber, an element in said cylinder comprising a wall with a port connecting said chambers, means for metering fluid flowing through said vport 'and comprising a compressible unit" with a central passage connected to Ysaid port, and a plurality of expansible and contractible passages connecting said centralV passage to said low pressure chamber, a piston andcylind'cr device carriedby the top follower and operatively connected-to said Iunit 'for compressing thegsame.

and a control source of iiuid operatively associated with said device for delivering pressure fluid -thereto Aunder an adjustable I -sure value.

predetermined preis- Y 4. Anhydraulic shock absorber comprising a cylinder member adapted to contain hydraulic fluid',V a high pressure chamber in said cylinder member, a pistonr member reciprocal in said high pressure chamber, a low pressure chamber in one of said members, a iiexible metering device carried by one of said membersand comprising an orifice connecting said chambers, 'th'elrareaof saidV orifice 'being adjustable by flexing said de- 9 vice, a piston and cylinder assembly carried by said one member and operatively connected to said device for exerting pressure thereagainst to resist expansive flexing thereof, and a source of pressure fiuid externally of said shock absorber and voperatively connected to said assembly for actuating the same.

5. An hydraulic shock absorber comprising a cylinder with a high pressure chamber adapted to contain hydraulic fiuid, a piston member reciprocal in said chamber, a low pressure chamber in one of said members, means for metering flow of hydraulic fluid between said chambers comprising an axially expansible and contractible unit including a plurality of elements with an axial passage connected to the high pressure chamber, said elements defining radial passage means vconnectedto said passage and to the low pressure chamber, said elements being movable,

apart during expansion of said unit by the pressure of the fiuid flowing through said passage means to increase the axial breadth of said passage means, and yielding means cooperatively associated with said unit and exerting a substantially constant pressure thereagainst to -yieldingly resist expansion thereof. Y

6. An hydraulic shock absorber comprising two relativelymovable elements forming a working chamber and a reservoir chamber, and having a port therebetween through which fluid is transferred from one chamber to the other chamber in order to dissipate energy, means for metering the flow of fluid through said port and comprising a flexible unit forming an orifice connected to said .port and said reservoir chamber, the pressure l of the fiuid flowing through said orifice fiexing said unit and varying in direct proportion the area of said orifice, and an assembly coopera,- tively associated with said unit and yieldingly resisting at a substantially constant load value fiexure thereof increasing the area of said orifice.

7. An hydraulic shock absorber comprising a cylinder, an element therein comprising a wall dividing the cylinder into high and low pressure chambers, a port through said wall connecting said chambers, a piston reciprocal in the high pressure chamber, a metering device associated with said wall and including an adjustable metering orifice connecting said chambers, another cylinder carried by the first-mentioned cylinder and closed from communication therewith, another piston reciprocal within the second-mentioned cylinder and operatively connected tosaid device for adjusting the yarea of said Orfcmand. means including a pressure regulator for convey-. ing pressure fluid to the second-mentioned cylinder under predetermined pressure values and4 maintaining said pressure values irrespective of reciprocation of the second mentioned piston.

8. An hydraulic shockl absorber comprising a cylinder member with a high pressure chamber, a piston member reciprocal therein, a 10W pressure chamber in one of the members, said one member comprising an element therein including a wall with a port connecting said chambers, a resilient metering unit comprising an axial passage communicating with said port, and radial passage means connecting said passage to the low pressure chamber, a piston and cylinder device carried by said one member and operatively associated with said unit for compressing the sameagainst said wall, and a source of pressure fluid connected to said device for actuation thereof, said source including a relief valvefor maintaining the pressure in said device at-fa preset l0 constant value during the full range of expansion and contraction of said unit.

9. An hydraulic shock. absorber comprising a cylinder member with a high pressure chamber adapted to contain hydraulic fluid, a piston member reciprocal in said chamber, a low pressure chamber in one of said members, a pressure sensitive metering unit comprising an assembly defining an adjustable orifice connecting said chamber, said assembly being expansible and contractible to increase and decrease the area of said orifice as the hydraulic pressure therein increases or decreases respectively, yielding means reacting against said unit for resisting expansion of said assembly, and an automatic pressure regulator system operatively.' connected with .said yielding `means for maintaining said' yielding means ata constant pressure during expansion and contraction of said unit.. l

10. An hydraulic shockfabsorber comprising a cylinder member havinga high 'pressure chamber, a piston member reciprocal therein, a low pressure 'chamber'.in one of the members, an elementcarried by said onev member with la l port therethrough connecting said chambers, a metering device carried by. said one member for metering flow of fluid through Vsaid port, a cylinder carried by said one member, a piston in said cylinder, said piston being connected to said device to actuate the same, 'and a sour-ce of pressure fluid externally of said cylinder member and operatively connected to said cylinder to actuate said piston.4

1l.- A system of the class described comprising a shock absorber including a cylinder member having a high pressure chamber, la piston member reciprocal therein, a low pressure chamber in one of the members, an adjustablemetering orifice connecting said chambers, and a piston and cylinder device carried by said one member and operatively connected to said orifice for adjusting the same, and a pressure system connected to and directing pressure actuating lfluid under a predetermined adjustable .pressurefvalu'e to said device for actuation thereof. l

12. An hydraulic shock absorber comprising' a cylinder including a wall defining high and low pressure chambers therein, a piston reciprocal in the high pressure chamber, a metering mechanism with an adjustable orifice connecting said chambers, a piston and cylinder device carried by the cylinder and operatively connected to said mechanism, the area of said orifice being directly proportional to the pressure in saidhigh pressure chamber, and a pressure system connected to and maintaining pressure actuating fluid in said mechanism under an adjustable predeterminedl constant pressure value irrespective of movement ofthe piston of the device into or out of the cylinder of said device.

13. A hydraulic shock absorber comprising ja cylinder member with a high pressure chamber adapted to contain hydraulic fiuid, a piston member reciprocal in said chamber, a low pressure chamber in one of said members, and metering means carried by said one member includinga flexible pressure sensitive orifice expansible and contractible in response to variation in pressure of the hydraulic fluid flow through said orifice, a body of compressed gas operatively associated .with said means for yieldingly resisting expansion of said orifice, and means including a constant pressure system connected to said gas for maintaining said gas under substantially constant 1 1'` pressure during expansin and contraction of: said orifice. Y i

14.An hydraulic shock absorber comprising a cylinder member having a highpressure chamber, a piston member reciprocal therein, a loW pressure chamber in one of the members, an element conne-cted to said one member and having a port connectingsaid chambers, a metering device car.- ried by VsaidV one-member for metering flow,v ofY fluid through said port, and means includingl a constant pressure system externally of sai-d cylinderl member and operatively connected to saidl meteringdevice for actuating thesame.

115. Inna shock absorber having two relatively movable elements;v forming; a working; chamber, and-a reservoir chamberand having.a:nortgthere-H between through Whichiluid is transferred from: said Working chamber toV saidl reservoir chamber;

. to dissipate energy, a flexible; metcrine?unit;forminganorillce decreasing and mcrfeasingin area during flcxurefcf said unit andconnected to said?. port. and: to saidf working chamber,v a cylindeiinf said reservoir chamber; carried bv thaajdjaoont elementga. pistonv within saidV cylinder, proj acting; from' one end thereofl and bearing against; said unit to control flexing thereof,aclosure mem,- ber'ncarried by saidlast-mentioned elementjclos.- ing theother end of said cylinder, a fluid supply line connected to said cylinderV through saidi closuremember and to a source of pressure fluid, anda reliefyalve in said line for maintaining' the; pressure of the fluid in said line and cylinderati a substantially constant predetermined value..

1'6; In a shock absorber having two relatively movable elements forming a WorkingA chamber and a reservoir chamber, andhaving a port there,-V between through which liquid, is transferred from said Working chamber to said reservoir chamber to dissipate energy on the closure strokel of,` the; shock'L absorber, a meteringunit formingjan orifice connected to said port and said reservoirv Chamber, said unit being contractible and exfpansible to. vary the area ofthe orifice in accordance with the pressure of the liquid passing through said orifice, means for controlling the i expansion of said; unit comprising a cylinder carried by one of said elements, a piston within the cylinder projecting from one end thereof and engaging s aidunit, a closure member closing the.

other end of said cylinder, a source oflpressurel fluid connected to said cylinder throughk saidclosure memberand including meansA forregulatfingthe; pressure of; said fluid, by-passva1vameans, including ports communieatingv with said ch' bers, anda valve.plate4 for closingsaid lastrgn'enl-f,

tionedv ports: during closure of,V said. shockv alb;- sorber andv for opening the same during eXtensionfof, said shock absorber. i Y

17. In a shock strut, a cylinder memberadapted to contain hydraulic liquid, fa sleeve fixedwitllirkv said cylinder member and having a flange with a' porttherethrough, said flange dividing said; cyl,- inderinto 'high and low pressure chambers,^ a pis;-V ton reciprocal within the high pressure chamber,

-a metering unit mounted in said sleeve within said low pressure chamber and comprising an orifice communicating with said port andl said. low pressure chamber, said unit being flexible to vary the area of said orice Yin accordance with theV pressure ofA liquid flowing from' said high Y pressure 'chamber through said port and Ysaid orifice to said low pressure chamber during cio-i sure' of said' strut, means for Controlling flexing of sai-dunit expanding said orifice area'comprising fluidactuated' yielding means mountedw'ithin l2 saidsleeve andcooperatively associated with saidunit and, including means for connection to4 a source of;` pressure fluid externally of said strut, and. one-Way valve; means for accommodating flowof! liquid from said low pressure chamber to said high pressure chamber during extension of said strut and including a valve body disposed between said flange and said unit and having openings communicating with said low pressure chamber and saidport, said one-way valve means also including a flap'per plate disposedA between said flangeand valve body and movablev against said valve body for-closing said openings during closur`eof;said strut andmovable awayfrom said valve'bodyffor: opening: said openings, during extension ofsai'dstrut.

'18; A; shock, absorber comprising a follower adapted' to "contain a hydraulic fluid medium, a` supporti'structulu'ev carried Yby said follower, anl apertured-fmember Tsupporte'd by saidstructure anddividingfsaid followerinto'high andzlov'vpres.-4 sure hambers'fapiston reciprocal withinsaid high.'- pressure chamber, a'cylinder carried by said follower; a`- pistonmember in guided engagement with"said structure" and 'reciprocal Within said cylinder, resilient metering means comprising an orific'efconnected directly tosaid low pressure chamber and" through said apertured member- Witlf1`f`said high pressure chamber, Said metering means 'being' expansible and contractible to in crease and' decrease thearea of said oriilce in accordance'tviththe 'pressure of the hydraulicV medium"ilowing"through said orifice, and conduit means connected! to said cylinder and extending' Y externally off-'said follower for connection to a sour'ceof 'pressure' fluid for actuating said piston memberfag'ainst said metering means and the latter-fagainst saidy apertured member for resistingf'expansion of said metering means, and a source of constant pressure fluid connected tothe conduit.

19, A shock absorber comprising two relatively movable 'elements forming a Vworking chamber anda reservoir chamber and includinga wall between said chambers having a port accommodat- Y ing transfer of uid from one chamber to the other, a support structure in said reservoir cham# berrincluding a perforated tube connected to the adjacent element at one end, a cylinder within said tube lat said one end connected to the lastmentioned element, a bearing connected to the otherf'end'of s'aid tube, a piston having a 'stem Within the tube and extending into said cylinder at vonev end Y fo'r'reciprocal movement therein 'and extending through saidv bearing at the other end, means"'conncting"said w'all to said bearing inA spa-ced', relationship thereto, a resilient metering unit between'said Wall and bearing, a headn said stem between said wall and unit in engagement with rthe latter, said resilient unit having anorifice connected toV said reservoir chamber and 'saidrport said unit being expansible and contractible' to varyV the area of said orifice in accordance with the pressure of the fluid flowing through said orifice, conduit means connected to said cylinder and extending externally of said device for connection to a source of pressure fluid for actuating said piston for resisting expansion of said unit between said head and said wall, and means connected to' said conduit means for regulating thepres'sure'of the fluid supplied to saidA cylinder of{reciprocal-movements of said piston during expansion and contraction of said unit.

20. An hydraulic shock absorber comprising a follower adapted to contain hydraulic uid, a piston member reciprocal in said follower and defining a. jhigh pressure chamber with a portion thereof, a low pressure chamber in' said follower, an axially expansib-le and contractible metering unit connecting said chambers comprising a plurality of resilient, radially fluted disks having central openings connected to the high pressure chamber and means for resisting expansion of t `said unit comprising a cylinder mounted Within said follower, a piston reciprocal within said cylincler, said unit being` disposed between said piston and said portion of `said follower. and conduit means connected to said cylinder and extending externally of said follower for connection to a source of pressure uid for actuating said piston against said unit.

21. A shock absorber comprising a cylinder member having a high pressure chamber. a piston member reciprocal therein, a low pressure chamber in one or the members, an adjustable metering orifice connecting said chambers, and a piston and cylinder device carried by said one member 14 and operatively connected to said orifice for adjusting the same, and a pressuresystem connected to and controlling the pressure value and directing fluid under pressure to device for actuation thereof, said adjustable metering orice comprising a port between the higlfilf'and low pressure chambers and an extension ofthe piston of said device having ya hollow portion forming a tube being axially slotted and fitting into said pOIt. 'Y

RAYMOND WA'I'IS.

REFERENCES CITED Thefollowing references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

